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1.
Engineering of functional nanosnowflakes from gold nanocarriers capped with amino-modified DNA oligonucleotides
Alexandre Loukanov, Velichka Arahangelova, Saim Emin, Chavdar Filipov, 2023, original scientific article

Abstract: Abstract The design, engineering and electron microscopic characterization of anisotropic nanosized snowflake‐like structural assemblies (nanosnowflakes) is reported. They were fabricated through immobilization of double stranded amine‐modified and thiol‐terminated DNA oligonucleotides on the surface of ultra‐small isotropic gold nanoparticles used as nanocarriers. The transmission electron microscopy images combined with spectrophotometric data revealed the formation of self‐assembled structural aggregation between individual ligands‐coated nanoparticles. They act as seeds for the further spontaneous dendritic growth in different directions. Their anisotropic morphology is formed due to the occurrence of facilitated electrostatic interactions between positive charged amino‐groups and the negative sugar‐phosphate backbone of oligonucleotides. Thus, nanosnowflakes with size distribution between 40 and 80 nm were obtained. The microscopic analysis demonstrated also that the stable nanosnowflakes structure was highly dependent on the solution ionic strength, which effect the charge fluctuation within the assembly. The reported DNA functionalized nanostructures have potential to be applied as a platform for development of therapeutic materials, as well as drug delivery nanosystems. Research Highlights The engineering, fabrication, and microscopic characterization of DNA nanosnowflakes is reported. The electron microscopy analysis revealed formation of self‐assemblies with anisotropic morphology. The nanosnowflakes size distribution was between 40 and 80 nm.
Keywords: DNA, nanocarrier, functionalization, drug delivery
Published in RUNG: 18.03.2024; Views: 155; Downloads: 0
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2.
Defective ▫$TiO_2$▫ nanotube arrays for efficient photoelectrochemical degradation of organic pollutants
Manel Machreki, Takwa Chouki, Georgi Tyuliev, Dušan Žigon, Bunsho Ohtani, Alexandre Loukanov, Plamen Stefanov, Saim Emin, 2023, original scientific article

Abstract: Oxygen vacancies (OVs) are one of the most critical factors that enhance the electrical and catalytic characteristics of metal oxide-based photo-electrodes. In this work, a simple procedure was applied to prepare reduced TiO 2 nanotube arrays (NTAs) (TiO 2−x) via a one-step reduction method using NaBH 4. A series of characterization techniques were used to study the structural, optical, and electronic properties of TiO 2−x NTAs. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the presence of defects in TiO 2−x NTAs. Photoacoustic measurements were used to estimate the electron-trap density in the NTAs. Photoelectrochemical studies show that the photocurrent density of TiO 2−x NTAs was nearly 3 times higher than that of pristine TiO 2. It was found that increasing OVs in TiO 2 affects the surface recombination centers, enhances electrical conductivity, and improves charge transport. For the first time, a TiO 2−x photoanode was used in the photo-electrochemical (PEC) degradation of a textile dye (basic blue 41, B41) and ibuprofen (IBF) pharmaceutical using in situ generated reactive chlorine species (RCS). Liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry was used to study the mechanisms for the degradation of B41 and IBF. Phytotoxicity tests of B41 and IBF solutions were performed using Lepidium sativum L. to evaluate the potential acute toxicity before and after the PEC treatment. The present work provides efficient PEC degradation of the B41 dye and IBF in the presence of RCS without generating harmful products.
Keywords: TiO2, nanotube arrays, photoelectrochemical degradation, organic pollutants
Published in RUNG: 12.06.2023; Views: 919; Downloads: 7
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3.
Reduced TiO2 nanotube arrays for photoelectrochemical degradation of pharmaceutical
Manel Machreki, Takwa Chouki, Georgi Tyuliev, Dušan Žigon, Bunsho Ohtani, Alexandre Loukanov, Plamen Stefanov, Saim Emin, 2022, published scientific conference contribution abstract

Keywords: TiO2, nanotube arrays, photoelectrochemical degradation, pharmaceuticals
Published in RUNG: 10.02.2023; Views: 949; Downloads: 0
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4.
Electron Microscopic Visualization of Complementary Labeled DNA With Platinum-Containing Guanine Derivative
Alexandre Loukanov, Chavdar Filipov, Polina Mladenova, Svetlin TOSHEV, Saim Emin, 2016, original scientific article

Abstract: The object of the present report is to provide a method for a visualization of DNA in TEM by complementary labeling of cytosine with guanine derivative, which contains platinum as contrast-enhanced heavy element. The stretched single-chain DNA was obtained by modifying double-stranded DNA. The labeling method comprises the following steps: (i) stretching and adsorption of DNA on the support film of an electron microscope grid (the hydrophobic carbon film holding negative charged DNA); (ii) complementary labeling of the cytosine bases from the stretched single-stranded DNA pieces on the support film with platinum containing guanine derivative to form base-specific hydrogen bond; and (iii) producing a magnified image of the base-specific labeled DNA. Stretched single-stranded DNA on a support film is obtained by a rapid elongation of DNA pieces on the surface between air and aqueous buffer solution. The attached platinum-containing guanine derivative serves as a high-dense marker and it can be discriminated from the surrounding background of support carbon film and visualized by use of conventional TEM observation at 100 kV accelerated voltage. This method allows examination of specific nucleic macromolecules through atom-by-atom analysis and it is promising way toward future DNA-sequencing or molecular diagnostics of nucleic acids by electron microscopic observation.
Keywords: DNA stretching and visualization, contrast-enhanced Pt-containing guanine, DNA sequences
Published in RUNG: 02.02.2017; Views: 4780; Downloads: 0
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5.
Biotinylated Vanadium and Chromium Sulfide Nanoparticles as Probes for Colocalization of Membrane Proteins
Alexandre Loukanov, Saim Emin, 2016, original scientific article

Abstract: ABSTRACT We report the microemulsion synthesis of vanadium and chromium sulfide nanoparticles (NPs) and their biological application as nanoprobes for colocalization of membrane proteins. Spherical V2S3 and Cr2S3 NPs were prepared in reverse microemulsion droplets, as nanoreactors, obtained by the surfactant sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) in nonpolar organic phase (heptane). Electron microscopic data indicated that the size distribution of the nanoparticles was uniform with an average diameter between 3 4 5 nm. The prepared hydrophobic nanocrystals were transferred in aqueous phase by surface cap exchange of AOT with biotindihydrolipoic ligands. This substitution allows the nanoparticles solubility in aqueous solutions and confer their bioactivity. In addition, we report the conjugation procedure between a-Lipoic acid (LA) and biotin (abbreviated as biotin-LA). The biotin-LA structure was characterized by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The biotinylated vanadium and chromium sulfide nanoparticles were tested as probes for colocalization of glutamate receptors on sodium-dodecyl-sulfate-digested replica prepared from rat hippocampus. The method suggests their high labeling efficiency for study of membrane biological macromolecules.
Keywords: biotin-dihydrolipoic conjugate, vanadium and chromium sulfide nanoparticles, membrane proteins
Published in RUNG: 02.02.2017; Views: 5206; Downloads: 0
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